Page 46 of A Hal for my Heart

“But you are mourning the father you never had.”

He nodded. “Yes.”

I reached for him, cupping his chin. His eyes fluttered closed as he leaned into my touch. “But luckily I have two fathers,” I said. “And we can share them as much as you want. They already love you, Briar.”

He blinked his eyes open. “Thank you, Hal.” Then he seemed to recall something, and his face lit up. “Hal, I almost forgot! We’re uncles!”

I laughed at his happiness. “I already know that, silly omega.”

He shook his head, golden curls flying all over the place. “No, I don’t mean Ember and Lumi.” He laughed, the sound airy and happy. “My nephew. Rue. Martin, Sin’s alpha, is bringing him here now that it is safe.”

“I see. I can’t wait to meet him.”

“Me neither. I’m going to ask Seb if he’ll allow them to stay at the palace. I don’t want to be away from them again and lose more time with them than I already have.”

I nodded. “I’m sure he will. He is a kind and fair king.”

Briar gasped, his hand flying to his mouth. “Did you just compliment Seb?”

I frowned. “I think I did.” I chuckled. “I guess that’s what almost dying does to a man. Makes him soft.”

A shadow moved across Briar’s face. “How was it? Did you feel it, Hal? That you were close to dying?”

I knew what he meant, but it hadn’t been anything like that. I pulled him into my arms, holding him close. Burying my face in his hair, I breathed him in, and the bond once again flared to life. “It wasn’t death I was afraid of, sweetness,” I murmured. “It was all the things I’d never get to have in life that scared me.”

“Like what?”

“My future with you. Children. Watching them grow up as we grew older together. It all flashed before me, and I felt… robbed.”

Briar shivered against me. “I saw it too, and I felt it. The loss and the future we so deserved but would never have.” His voice lowered to a whisper. “It was such a good life, Hal. Better than I ever imagined.”

“Sweetness.” My voice broke as I finally allowed myself to cry. “Look at me.” Briar lifted his head, his eyes locking onto mine. “We do deserve it, and we will have it. All of it. A long and good life. Together.”

He smiled tenderly, then leaned in and pressed his lips against mine. “Promise me.”

“I promise.”

“Promise me we’ll never be apart again.”

“I promise you, Briar. On my life—”

He winced, freezing in my arms.

“Too soon?” I chuckled, kissing him again, and he relaxed.

“Yes, way too soon.”

“Then on our future children. I swear it, Briar. We’ll never be apart again.”

We held each other for the longest time, until Briar went limp in my arms and exhaustion took over. I eased him off me and placed him on the bed next to me. He cuddled up against me, his fingers wrapped around my arm. He looked so peaceful now, so safe, and the alpha inside me sighed with contentment. I closed my eyes and let sleep claim me, dreaming of giggling babies with golden hair and the greenest eyes in the world.

Being a patient was a pain in my ass. I was an alpha, for the love of all the gods! I wasn’t meant to be fussed over, and gods, did my little omega fuss over me.

“Doctor Aron said at least three more days in bed, Hal!” Briar tapped his booted foot against the floor, his slim arms crossed over his chest. “And no solid food yet. We don’t want to upset your stomach unnecessarily.”

I groaned loudly. “You’re mean.”

He huffed. “I am not mean. Doctor Aron says that—ugh, will you stop that!” Briar shot me a warning glare as he caught me mimicking him. Doctor Aron this and Doctor Aron that. I was so over this!